Building Briefs – January 31st

• Plans for last leg of Glasgow’s South City Way route go on show

The £6.5 million project, which will create a segregated pathway between Queen’s Park and the city centre, is on track for completion in 2019. The final phase of the 3km route will link the junction at the north end of Victoria Bridge, Bridgegate and King Street.

At the drop-in event at the Briggait today, members of the public will get their first chance to examine the plans for the route once it reaches the city centre and also provide any feedback.  Staff from Glasgow City Council and Sustrans, who have been jointly developing the pathway, will also be on hand to answer any questions.

The drop-in at the Briggait is on Thursday, January 31 from 11am to 7pm. People will also be able to view the plans online at www.glasgow.gov.uk/scw.

• JCB digger crashes into Edinburgh newsagent

A digger has crashed into the front of an Edinburgh newsagent.

The JCB telehandler appeared to have mounted the pavement in front of the shop on Gorgie Road in the early hours.

Pictures on social media showed the store had suffered significant damage where the vehicle crashed into an ATM.

Police Scotland confirmed the incident was reported at about 04:00 and that they were treating it as an attempted break-in. They said inquiries were ongoing.

It is not believed anyone was hurt.

• Work progressing for £3m Grangemouth commercial development

Work on the second phase of Northern Trust’s new development at Grangemouth is progressing well, the firm has confirmed. 

The new phase of development will comprise over 25,500 sq ft; with Barons Court covering c18,000 sq ft of industrial / workshop accommodation, alongside a further c7,350 sq ft terrace of pavilion style offices at Earls Court. 

The development is situated between the existing Grange Court (industrial) and Earls Court (office) estates, which form part of the wider Earls Gate Business Park. The new industrial scheme is set over two terraced blocks and offer a range of units from 1.095 sq ft up to 2.210 sq ft. The modern office accommodation will be contained within a single terraced block and split into a maximum of six suites across the ground and first floor. 

• North Ayrshire sheltered housing development re-opens after £2.2m revamp

A state-of-the-art sheltered housing development which will have a major positive impact on the lives of older people in North Ayrshire has been officially re-opened.

The £2.2 million refurbishment of Dickson Court in Beith, has been designed to specifically meet the needs of older residents.

Featuring 22 high-quality and accessible sheltered homes, the development illustrates North Ayrshire Council’s commitment to provide modern and energy-efficient accommodation that will meet tenants’ needs now and in the future.

Dickson Court residents joined Provost Ian Clarkson to mark the official re-opening of the sheltered housing complex by cutting a cake.

The £2.2m refurbishment, carried out by James Frew Ltd, saw the refurbishment of 20 homes and the creation of a further two new homes, as part of the council’s aim to help people live independently at home, for as long as possible.

A new energy efficient communal heating system has been installed and all homes have been re-wired, kitchens have been re-designed and wet floor shower rooms have been installed.

The communal areas within the complex have benefited from a new scooter store, a new visiting services room and have also been fully redecorated with new windows and doors installed. The exterior of the building has been enhanced with a new roof and insulated render system which should reduce heating costs for tenants and contribute to the council’s sustainability agenda.

• Arbroath group given until end of March to raise cash for courthouse community project

A local group aiming to bring the former Arbroath Sheriff Court building into community use has been given until the end of march to prove it has enough capital for its proposals.

The Arbroath Courthouse Community Trust (ACCT) has been given a final chance to prove it has the working capital to take forward proposals for the building, which closed in 2014 and will require essential repairs.

The trust has nearly 400 members and was recently awarded funding from Architectural Heritage Scotland for an architectural and cost feasibility study of the building.

• Ross and Cromarty roads maintenance programme agreed

Members of Highland Council’s Ross and Cromarty committee have agreed a Road Structural Maintenance Programme for 2019/20 which prioritises the safety of the travelling public and sustainability of the road network.

The revenue budget for road maintenance activities in Ross and Cromarty for 2019/20 is £2,624,218 of which £1,102,447 is allocated for winter maintenance with a further capital budget of £1,534,391 for the same period.

The schemes included are based on need following safety and service inspections, input from Ward Members and data from the Scottish Road Maintenance Condition Survey.

Of the 14 capital improvement schemes, four are on the A890 in Lochalsh. Other A road projects include surface dressing to the A862 Station Road–Auction Mart in Dingwall and the A832 at the Fairly Glen on the Black Isle.

• Council welcomes response to Midlothian leisure destination consultation

Midlothian Council has welcomed the response to the consultation event on ambitious plans for an all-year-round, multi-activity leisure destination.

Some 200 people attended an event at Midlothian Snowsports Centre, and their comments will now be used to inform the business plan and any future planning applications, if the project gets the go ahead. It is understood that councillors are likely to decide on the proposals when a report is brought before the full council in the spring.

• Scottish Water invests £5m in Argyll and Bute coastal works

Scottish Water has invested £5 million to improve and protect the coastal waters around the Holy Loch and parts of the Firth of Clyde in Argyll and Bute.

The project began in October 2017 and has involved upgrades to the existing sewer infrastructure and the construction of underground septic tanks in Toward, Rhu, Innellan, Kilmun and Strone – work here is expected to be completed in the next three weeks.

Work recommences in Kilmun on February 4 near to The Old Kirk on the A880.

Scottish Water’s alliance partner amey Black and Veatch (aBV) have instructed Storie (Argyll) to undertake this work which is expected to last approximately three months.

• Playgroup gets Barratt cash boost to kick off 2019

A Glasgow playgroup has received a very generous donation from Barratt Homes to help buy new toys for the local children this January.

Riverside Playgroup, located on the south side of Glasgow, has been gifted £500 that will be used to buy playtime essentials.

Riverside Playgroup is located near to Barratt Homes’ newest housing development, Riverside @ Cathcart, which boasts a selection of three and four bedroom homes.